What to Expect Before Kidney Transplant Surgery
How long should I expect to wait for my transplant?
In Illinois, the average wait time for a kidney on the national waiting list is five to seven years. During this time, your Loyola healthcare team will continue to manage your condition through dialysis.
Who pays for the operation?
Insurance, whether private, Medicare or Medicaid, will pay for the recipient's evaluation and surgery. The recipient's insurance also pays for the evaluation and surgery for a living donor. Please contact your insurance company for specific levels of coverage.
What do the kidneys do?
You have two bean-shaped kidneys in the lower back on either side of the spine. They help the body remove waste material and extra fluid from the blood and body in the form of urine.
The kidneys also help to control blood pressure, stimulate production of red blood cells and regulate fluids and chemicals in the body.
What is kidney failure?
Kidney failure, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD), is when your kidneys can no longer clean toxins and other chemicals from your blood, regulate blood pressure or produce red blood cells.
Why a kidney transplant rather than dialysis?
Kidney transplant is another treatment option. Transplants can provide a better quality of life by allowing you freedom from frequent, time-consuming dialysis treatments. A transplant also can increase your life expectancy when compared with dialysis.
How can I find out if I need a kidney transplant?
Kidney transplantation can be a treatment possibility for advanced renal disease. You can qualify to be on the transplant list if your kidneys are functioning at 20mg/dl or less. You can ask your nephrologist if your kidney function is that low and contact the transplant center to begin your evaluation.
How do I know if I qualify for a kidney transplant?
The transplant team that you visit during your evaluation will request multiple tests to determine if you can qualify for a transplant. Testing includes blood samples, regular cancer screening studies, cardiac evaluation and other diagnostic imaging tests to look at the anatomy of your vessels. The transplant coordinator will help you get all the testing done for your qualification to be listed at Loyola.
What does a kidney transplant evaluation involve?
A kidney transplant evaluation is extensive. It requires many diagnostic tests to determine your need and is different for each patient.
What is the age limit for a kidney transplant?
Kidney transplants are routinely performed for patients of all ages. At Loyola, we perform both adult kidney transplants in advanced age depending on the general health condition of the individual. Call us to see if you qualify.
What does it mean to be on “the list” for a kidney transplant?
After completing the evaluation process, Loyola’s multidisciplinary team reviews your results. If you are approved for a kidney transplant, you will be registered with the United Network for Organ Sharing, more commonly called UNOS.
This is the national waiting list for deceased-donor organs. It is used to match potential donor organs with recipients.
What should I be doing while I wait for a donor?
In general, try to maintain your health as much as possible. In addition, continue to stay in touch with the transplant center and notify them of any changes in location or health. Your doctors may recommend specific medications or treatments to help you stay in the best health.
Do my own kidneys have to be removed?
For patients receiving a kidney, the existing kidneys (also called native kidneys) are usually left in place. They are near the back of your abdomen and are not removed unless it is absolutely necessary.
If your doctors decide that removing a native kidney is necessary, they will discuss the reason with you. When you receive a kidney, it is placed in your pelvis. The blood supply is connected from your new kidney's vessels to the arteries and veins in the pelvis.
What to Expect After Kidney Transplant Surgery
What are visiting hours?
Visiting hours are set to allow you the time to recover after your surgery. Visiting hours for most hospital patients are from 9 am to 9 pm.
What will life be like after my transplant surgery?
It should be very different. Some patients say that they never expected to feel so good. Every patient is different, and how you feel depends on what your health and activity level were prior to transplant.
For kidney patients, no longer having to undergo hemodialysis three times a week or perform daily home dialysis brings tremendous freedom. You will still need routine lab tests and medical examinations to check for kidney function, but you should feel much better.
What procedures must I follow after my transplant?
You must take specific precautions to prevent rejection. You will need to take your immunosuppressive drugs and other medications exactly as prescribed. You will also be instructed on how to limit your exposure to infection.
How long will I have to take the anti-rejection medication?
You will have to take these medications for as long as you have a transplanted organ. The anti-rejection medications are extremely important and must be taken every day to prevent rejection.
Taking your medications is one of the most important things you need to do after your transplant surgery.
